Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

This is in fact my first story so I hope you like it. Please let me know if there is anything that doesn't make sense and needs additional info! Also please ignore any typos. I have tried my HARDEST to get rid of every single one. Don't beat me up if you find one ^^

Review! I need to know whether this story is worth writing! Haha, if I get some reviews telling me to carry on with the story I shall post the next chapter and then from then on chapters should come weekly :)

Jess xxx

Chapter 1: BRB – or not.

It had been a good five years since Sakura Haruno left Konoha. Pushed by her fears of forever being alone in the beautiful village of the hidden Leaf, Sakura left. Konoha bore too many unwanted memories for the young woman. With every minute she spent in that village she felt tiny pieces of her very soul start to fade away. She knew she was being ungrateful. She had many friends, whom loved and cherished her, but something would always be missing. She'd given a part of her away and knew very well she would never get it back. Staying in Konoha did nothing but remind her of her loss and she could no longer bear to be faced by this harsh reality every time she woke up.

So Sakura did some research. She found that a small fishing village down south in the Tea country were facing large natural disasters such as earth quakes and forest fires resulting in hundreds of injured civilians. She discussed the matter with her mentor, Lady Tsunade. Her argument was that she felt that she wasn't using her elite healing powers to the best of abilities here in Konoha. She desperately wanted to help people and potentially enhance her skills further. Sakura knew very well that her mentor would know she was partly lying, but hoped she would be understanding and let her leave none the less.

Tsunade was reluctant at first. More to the fact that she did not want to see her finest disciple leave. She had grown fond of her student and was sad that Sakura could no longer stand to stay in the village no longer. Much to her dismay, Tsunade eventually gave permission for Sakura's departure on the condition that she stay in touch.

Five years later and Sakura had finally found a sort of inner peace. She had been welcomed into the fishing village and was now looked upon as the village's finest medic. The village was extremely poor and in terrible condition from all the earthquakes and forest fires, but Sakura was no longer phased by its looks. She knew that if you walked down to the port at exactly five am you would see the most beautiful sky. A mix of orange and purples so outstanding you would not be able to look away.

"See you tomorrow Sakura!" Waved Akane as she skipped cheerfully out of the hospital.

"Bye!" Sakura called back.

Akane was Sakura's administrative assistant in some sorts. When Sakura started working at the hospital it was clear she was not very good with all the paperwork. Akane had kindly assisted her once and then somehow became her assistant. Sakura was very grateful for the young red-head, hence the name Akane, and often spent time out of work with her.

It was currently seven pm and the night shift staff were starting to show up. Sakura gathered her things, hung up her white lab coat and made her way home. It was about a fifteen minute walk to her little cottage that she had been given for free in thanks for all her help at the hospital.

Instead of going straight home Sakura stopped off at the village port. It was her favourite place in the village. She sat down on the edge of the deck, letting her shortish thin legs dangle down just stopping shy off the water. Looking up at the night sky Sakura couldn't help but let a pang of sadness wash over her. Today was the tenth of October. Naruto's twenty-third birthday. She had sent him a long letter telling him what she was currently up to alongside an expensive kunai in which she had embroided the words Never give up, hope will forever lead you to where you need to be.

Saying goodbye to Naruto had been the hardest part of leaving.

Five years ago….

"This place is a bit too fancy for my taste. They don't even serve ramen." Naruto complained.

Sakura couldn't help but laugh. Despite the huge knot in her stomach and the lump in her throat, Naruto would always be able to make her laugh.

She had invited Naruto to a reasonably posh restaurant to give him the news of her departure. She knew there wouldn't be anywhere in the village in which would make the matter easier but she chose this restaurant because Naruto had once suggested eating there.

Once they had ordered their food they talked about what was going on in their lives. Well, mostly Naruto talked about what was going on in his life. Sakura enjoyed listening to him go on about how his relationship with Hinata was going well and how he'd been practicing new jutsus. She smiled, mm-ed and ahh-ed all whilst listening attentively.

When the food arrived Naruto noticed Sakura was not eating but pushing the contents of her plate around with her chopsticks. She looked deep in thought and slightly troubled.

"Is there something wrong Sakura?" Naruto asked confused.

She looked up at him then. Pain embedded in her eyes. Naruto, surprised, grabbed hold of one of her hands from across the table and asked her to please tell him what was wrong.

"I've been planning this out for weeks now," Sakura laughed nervously, "Yet I still don't know how to tell you."

"Tell me what?" Naruto asked raising a brow.

"Oh Naruto," Sakura's eyes filled with tears, "I'm leaving."

Sakura figured there was no point in beating around the bush but to get straight to the point.

"Leaving? Where?" Naruto hadn't quite grasped the severity of what was going to happen.

Sakura let go of Naruto's hand and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin. She tried her best to give him her best smile. "I'm leaving Konoha for a small village in the Tea country."

The silence that followed was unexpected. Naruto retracted into his chair, sadness taking over his once happy demeanour.

"I'll come back I promise." Sakura said desperately trying to get him to talk. But even she knew she didn't sound very convincing.

"I knew you were unhappy here," He said eventually, "But I didn't realise it was that bad." He smiled sadly.

"I'm so sorry. I just can't. I feel like I'm suffocating." Sakura dabbed at her eyes once more.

They didn't talk more about it after that. Naruto changed the subject and tried to carry on conversation normally. Although he looked fine on the outside, Sakura noticed the half-hearted effort he put into finishing his meal. How his smile looked slightly cracked. It was only when Naruto walked Sakura home did he bring it up again.

"When are you leaving?" He asked as they arrived at Sakura's front door.

Sakura decided it would be better to sit as her knees started to wobble slightly. She motioned Naruto to sit next to her on her door step.

"The day after tomorrow." She said quietly.

He nodded having expected her departure to be soon. Naruto crossed his arms over his raised knees and looked sideways at his best friend.

"Is it because of him?" Naruto asked cautiously.

Sakura swallowed hard. It wasn't directly Sasuke's fault that she could no longer stay in the village but mainly the memories that he'd left behind. She explained as best she could to Naruto why it was she could no longer stay. Once she had finished he simply nodded again.

"I'm gonna miss you." He said laughing, though Sakura knew he was not in the least bit amused.

It then all became too much for Sakura and she burst into tears grabbing a hold of Naruto and burying her face in his chest. Naruto was quick to wrap his arms around her.

They stayed that way for a long time. Although Sakura was sure of what she was doing, and was not going to go back now, she found it painfully hard to leave her best friend behind.

"It's getting late." Naruto said calmly.

They stood up. Sakura wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Naruto smiled at her sadly. She hugged him again and then took his face in her hands.

"I love you." She said softly.

It was true. Sakura did love Naruto. But it just wasn't enough. If she was going to move on from her past she needed to be on her own somewhere far away where the memories wouldn't come crawling back.

"I love you too." He replied. Tears forming in his ocean blue eyes.

The next thing she did was not what she had planned on doing. Even as she kissed him she knew it wasn't fair on Naruto. He was seeing Hinata. But somehow it felt right, it made things feel more final.

When they drew apart Naruto smiled genuinely and said, "Well, that was nice."

Sakura smiled too. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Naruto kissed Sakura on the forehead and left. As Sakura got into bed, she felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her.

They had stayed in touch of course. Sending letters and gifts for birthdays, Christmas and other occasions. Naruto had informed Sakura three years ago that he was marrying Hinata. Ino somehow became head of her clan and now lead secret ANBU missions. Shino had died of on an illness. (That day, Sakura had gone to the port and whispered a little prayer wishing he rest in peace)

It was much better than nothing. But it still wasn't the same. She wasn't ready to go back yet though. She really liked it where she was at the moment and didn't plan to leave for a long time.